October 11, 2004

KEITH MILLER

I was fortunate to spend a day with Keith in 1997 at his house in Newport. The only things connected with sport on view were a football award from his schooldays and a photo from the Victory Test of 1945. The only thing he spoke about with regard to that match was the reception given to one of the players - not for a century or five wickets, but just for walking on to the field. The player had only been returned a few weeks from a prisoner of war camp.

After what he went through during the war, cricket always remained just a game to him. He flew Mosquito night fighters. A lifelong love of Beethoven saw him leave his group during a raid over Germany and fly a further 50 miles to Bonn, where he flew low, at some risk, over the city - just to see the place where his hero was born. A huge life.

I was fortunate to spend a day with Keith in 1997 at his house in Newport. The only things connected with sport on view were a football award from his schooldays and a photo from the Victory Test of 1945. The only thing he spoke about with regard to that match was the reception given to one of the players - not for a century or five wickets, but just for walking on to the field. The player had only been returned a few weeks from a prisoner of war camp.

After what he went through during the war, cricket always remained just a game to him. He flew Mosquito night fighters. A lifelong love of Beethoven saw him leave his group during a raid over Germany and fly a further 50 miles to Bonn, where he flew low, at some risk, over the city - just to see the place where his hero was born. A huge life.

For those who came in late, here is some biographical material.

"Fighter pilot. War hero. Bon vivant. Cricketer. The dashing raconteur with the common touch, Keith Ross Miller was the ultimate 'Boys Own' hero. Tall, muscular and incredibly gifted, he brought men to cricket grounds for his entertaining play, and women for his matinee idol looks.

A natural athlete, adept at many sports, he also played 50 games for St Kilda.

Like many of his age, the second World War robbed him of his prime, serving between the ages of 19 and 25 flying Mosquito night-fighters in raids over Germany.

With the new ball, his opening attacks in concert with Ray Lindwall made 'Lindwall-Miller' the catchphrase for great bowling partnerships. With a bat in his hand he maintained his fast bowler's temperament. A real dasher, but with solid defense, he batted at number 3 on many occasions.

Like all greats, his abilities endured. In 1955, a year before he retired, he toured the Caribbean taking 20 Test wickets and scoring 3 Test centuries with trademark flourish against a formidable West Indian team that included Sobers, Worrell, Weekes, Walcott and Gibbs.

It has been nearly 50 years since he last swung a bat or bowled a ball, and the millions who saw him play have dwindled markedly, so, apart from the bare averages, it is the evidence he has left behind that gives testimony to his feats.

At the end of a stellar career, Keith 'Nugget' Miller could reflect on numerous highlights, the 'Victory Tests', membership of that most exclusive of cricketing clubs The Invincibles, 1954 Wisden Cricketer Of The Year.

The accolades continue even to the present day. In 2000, he was named in the ACB Test Team of the Century as Vice Captain, and No.6 bat.

In the famous Long Room at Lords, inner sanctum of the home of English cricket, just two Australians' portraits hang - one is Bradman, the other is Miller. For the term of his Prime Ministership, Sir Robert Menzies' favourite photograph on display in his office was that of Keith Miller batting.

But perhaps the last testimonial should remain with his teammate, roommate, and bowling partner, Ray Lindwall :

'I've seen them all, the great Garfield Sobers at his best, and I have no doubt Keith Miller is the greatest cricketing allrounder. Keith had the ability to rise to the occasion when the team was up against it. If you were on top, he would finish it off with flair. A wonderful mixer and huge personality.' "

Go see the photo of KRM at cricinfo. Magnificent. I wonder how he got on with Bradman? Does anyone know? Bradman was the opposite character: meticulous, ruthless, subdued.

I hate to say it, but that Flintoff fellow may be the closest we've had to Nugget since the halcyon days of all-rounders in the 80s (God, what an era: Botham, Imran, Kapil, and Hadlee! Even so, not one of them a match for Nugget). Only Sobers is in the same league.

There was an old guy on radio last night, a fellow cricketer, must have been about ninety not out, reminiscing about Miller's no-nonsense approach:

Miller's team gathered around at the start of the match, waiting expectantly for the great man to place his eleven strategically around the field in various positions. Tell us what to do, one of them asked. Spread out! came the reply.

I remember when Keith MIller used to do the ABC Sheffield Shield cricket commentary which was when the final session was usually broadcast... i think? And my mothers recollections as a cricket fan will always stick. In line with Bundy's recollections best Keith Miller quote i saw in todays papers and no idea whether true or not :

"Pressure? I'll tell your what pressure is! Pressure is a mescherschmit up you're arse! Cricket is not pressure!"

My dear 84 year old father (George) played with Keith. He just told me a bunch of stories about the Great Man.
Some I can't repeat but this one I will.
The occasion was John Ikin's benefit match against the Australians in 1948. Cricket buffs can fill in or correct me if the minor details are wrong.
Bradman never threw his wicket and always played to win, but Miller wasn't like that at all.
When Ikin was on 90 in his benefit match Bradman wanted to take the new ball. Keith Miller threw the ball back to the Don in disgust saying "Didn't you know he was a Rat of Tubruk!"
Now there's an Ozzie Great for you, of John Landy Stature. David Tribe

Met my name sake in early 70's at a hotel near Manchester, England where I was a chef , when Ashes were in progress at Old trafford, KM was reporter for Daily Express at Time if I remember correctly, he was with all the BBC guys, Brian Johnston etc and very drunk !. When I introduced myself as Keith Miller and told him I had been one of the chef's who cooked his dinner, he said " what dinner ? I cooked my own dinner ? have one on me" so I had a pint of bitter with him and hve lived on this story with my sporting mates since.